Food and Nutrition

Social eating can be a challenge after WLS. You can be set with your diet and meal plan and everything can be going right, and then – bam! A box of doughnuts appears at work. Or you’re at the mall with a friend and your friend picks up a soft pretzel and a frozen raspberry lemonade. All of a sudden, you want something to munch on! How do you prepare for social eating situations? Are you able to completely resist? Or do you keep healthy Snacks on hand to pull out instead of caving into whatever else is being offered? It can help to keep nuts, Protein bars, and cheese sticks at work, or to pack a hard-boiled egg, some beef Jerky, or another protein snack when you’re going…

Okay, since surgery (vsg Feb 2016) I've tried to stay very low carb and feared carbs in moderation because I didn't want to end up overeating them and gaining. Well now I'm finding myself having a really hard time staying low carb and I keep binging on carbs. I keep trying to get back on the very low carb wagon and I'll do good for a day or so but then over indulge in sugary junk. I'm gaining and freaking out because I am not sure how to fix this. So I'm considering not being so restrictive with carbs to see if I can overcome this all or nothing mentality and find more of a balance with my eating so that I can continue towards my goal. Thoughts??? Sent from…

I had my first fasting labs drawn today. Everything looked OK except my cholesterol which was 220 and my insulin, which was 31 uIU/mL. I read that a typical fasting insulin should be around 8 uIU/mL. This is indicative of metabolic syndrome. Do you think this could hold up my surgery?

Tonight I made taco Soup for the guys and am unsure if I should dare puree some and try it for dinner. I know the meat and Beans are good Proteins but im worried about the corn and tomatoes. Has anyone tried something like this on the pureed stage? Sent from my LG-H343 using the BariatricPal App

There’s a good chance your eating patterns have changed dramatically since WLS. Is that reflected in your food budget? On the one hand, a lot of your new habits are probably less expensive than before WLS. For example, you’re probably eating way less food. You may be eating out less, and cooking for yourself more. On the other hand, some of your habits may be more expensive. People think of eating healthy as expensive. A lot of fruits and vegetables are pricy, especially when you get them out of season. The costs of low-fat and low-carb versions and special diet foods like Protein powders can add up. And instead of getting a huge meal for almost nothing at a fast food…

I've been reading a great book to help me control post-op re-gain. I've been sharing my opinions and some helpful tips on my website. I hope it's okay to post a link here: https://cindiaugustine.wordpress.com. I'm hoping to get a conversation started here on dealing with overeating. Even though we have reduced our stomachs it's still possible to over-eat. I know I forgot that for a short while; being human has its challenges. LOL

The standard list of cold summer treats may be a distant memory if you’re being a little – okay, a lot! – more cautious about your diet. Your weight loss surgery diet isn’t likely to include those cold treats like ice cream, root beer floats, ice cold soft drinks, and iced lattes. They’re way too sugary and high-calorie to have regularly. Still, there are plenty of other cold treats that hit the spot, too. What do you do to stay refreshed, on track, and satisfied on hot days? I love frozen watermelon slush and sugar-free ice pops. Frozen bananas are a little higher in calories and carbs, but they’re way healthier than ice cream and still super healthy. What your summer …

Post-op, one thing I have learned is to be satisfied with the aroma of some foods. The smell is often better than the taste anyway.

Most of us are lucky enough to have access to most kinds of fresh produce year round, but seasonal produce is still one of the hallmarks of summer. Fresh corn on the cob, abundant zucchini and cucumbers, heirloom tomatoes, sweet melons, and juicy peaches are just some of the tantalizing fruits and vegetables with a lot of summer memories attached to them. Farmer’s markets are another sign of summer. They can be the best places to get your seasonal fruits and vegetables from local growers who love what they do and are eager to share what they know about their precious wares. Just walking through the farmer’s market and talking to local vendors can be an experience in its…

I thought my nutrion plan was pretty lenient. Stage one Clear liquids for 4 days. Then stage two full liquids for 11-15 days. Then stage three moist or soft foods for 14 days including low fat crackers, half a piece of toast, and chopped or ground meat. Stage four foods for life. Which means eat whatever in moderation. Well, just a bit ago I was talking to my cousin who's a policeman who was sleeved six months ago. He emailed his diet plan that allowed lasagna roll ups at 14 days!! Pasta at 14 days post op? WOW!! And I was drilled about not eating untoasted bread, pasta and rice for 6 months. What are your guys post surgery diets like?

Okay.. So.. I am 7 weeks out from surgery and cleared to try anything I'd like to.. most things go down well. My friend's birthday is tonight and we're going to go to a Chinese buffet. Needless to say.. I cannot eat at a buffet the way I used to but the price is not going to change (unless by some miracle I can explain and they'll let me eat a child buffet but let's assume I won't get that lucky). How do you guys make the most out of a buffet? In general I don't eat around my sleeve and I'm doing good on weightloss.. but if I am going to go to a buffet.. I'd like to make it count and it's not like at a regular restaurant where I can get a normal portion size and just take…

Interesting article in the NY Times. food really effects us. And it also is scary about how once an idea gets popular support, it can take a long time to get people to re-look at the issue. (There is a verse in the Bible that has always struck me: Numbers 14:18: "he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation." I have noticed that it takes that long to get a "generally accepted" principle out of societal group. I initially studied this on how long it took to get rid of racial prejudice, but it seems to track on a number of subjects). What is the takeaway from an article like this? To me it is a reminder to keep fact check…

I am hoping you are able to help me with a problem I am having choosing a protein shake. I am 13 months post op and you would think I would have that down to a science by now. But I am trying to look for something new to get in all my required protein since I'm not doing it through food. The shake I have been using for the last year (Slim Fast), while great tasting, is higher in calories and other things that I think are too high. I started using Whey Protein Isolate but then found out it is derived from milk and I am lactose intolerant. I investigated soy protein which can cause constipation (which I frequently have trouble with anyway) Can you suggest something high in …

I always love hearing from BariatricPal members about your great ideas for satisfying cravings with healthy substitutes. You might make them yourself with new recipes, or order a dish from a restaurant but with certain requirements, like bunless or without sauce. I know a lot of substitutes, like portabello pizza for real pizza, and pureed cauliflower or turnip for mashed potatoes, and baked “fried” chicken with Fiber One or almond meal instead of breading and frying…but I know you all have a ton of excellent ideas that are WLS-friendly solutions for all those craveables! Share them here, please, and we’ll all be able to satisfy our cravings a little more easily!

It’s no secret that you have to give up a lot of foods starting on the pre-op weight loss surgery diet, and it takes a while for those foods to come back. If you have the gastric sleeve, for example, solid foods like nuts and raw veggies may not be back in your diet for a couple of months. And foods like ice cream, Cookies, chips, and pizza? Or your previous favorite restaurant orders? They may never come back, unless you have a lot of restraint and are eventually able to eat them in tiny portions. It’s always interesting to find out which foods you miss. Some are pretty predictable, like longing for a plate of Pasta or craving a Coke. Sometimes, though, it’s the most…

VIEW ONLINE Keep Your “Diet” from Being a “Diet” Diets don’t work. Long-lasting changes do. Sure, you can lose a few pounds or a lot of weight by following a crash or fad diet. And if you’re a weight loss surgery patient, you can’t help but lose several pounds in the first few months simply because of the restriction you feel and the strict diet you need to follow......Read More Easy Ways to Cut Calories for Weight Loss When you look at it one way, weight loss is simple: burn more calories than you take in, and you will lose weight. While there are certainly a range of factors that affect your calorie balance and weight loss, it’s almost impossible to lose w…

I'm five months out and until recently I was really hydrated and now it's becoming increasingly hard just to reach the minimum of what they ask. I feel dizzy and light headed all the time now. It's making me not want to eat because of how easily my stomach gets upset now. I'm starting to lose control of my body. My doctor told me it's the heat. Does anyone have any ideas as to how to get hydrated faster? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have heard a lot of folks talking about the nectar, so I thought I would try it. I googled it up and this is the special that I found. It is currently on a 1-2 week back order, but usually ships in 2-3 days. I went ahead and ordered it because it is a larger variety, for a much cheaper price and free shipping. I have not found this deal anywhere else. Here is the info if you would like to try it also: The number is 1-866-333-7403 ext 803. Just ask for the Nectar sample kit. You get 14 variety packets (one of every flavor) for $14.00 (no shipping!) It is worth a try at that price; especially if you are like me and hate the shakes and are not being able to catch on to …

Today my issue of Cook's Illustrated came in the mail, and to my delight, the food scale I got is on their Highly Recommended list!

Your diet is a lot more structured after WLS. Especially near the beginning, there are certain foods that you can eat, and a lot of foods that you can’t eat. It’s important to hit your calorie and Protein goals, while doing your best to get in tons of other nutrients, too. Now that you need to be careful about every bite you take, do you make a lot more of your food yourself rather than depending on prepared foods from restaurants and convenience stores? Do you spend a lot more time in the kitchen than you used to? Have you become a better cook? Or have you gone the opposite way – keeping foods simple and easy, possibly depending on easy choices like yogurt, cheese, a…

I have been reading with alarm several posts from people lately who have recently had surgery and don't seem to have gotten the message about how important Protein is to their healing and their weight loss. It is as if a whole group have completely skipped any nutrition education and think that it is ok to starve themselves. Protein is critical (a minimum of 80-100 grams, depending on your surgeon's recommendation for your specific needs) Fluid is critical (at least 64 oz.). You do not get bonus points for not reaching those goals. In fact, it will slow your weight loss and healing. (Climbing down off of my soap box for now.)

Tracking your food is one of the biggest keys to success after weight loss surgery. It holds you accountable, and can help you discover patterns about your eating, like which foods make you feel fuller and when you tend to crave junk food. There are tons of possibilities for food tracking. Which program/site/app do you use to track your diet, and why? Which features does it have that you like or even depend on?

I came across this today and just thought I would share it. http://www.marksdailyapple.com/press/the-primal-blueprint-diagrams/#axzz4F3sVUTW0

Hello everyone! I am 13 months post op and am buying numerous products online for my "diet". Some of my usual sites are vitacost, DietDirect, Netrition, MyBariatricPal, and MyBariatricPantry. I'm curious if anyone out there has other sites they buy things from . I am spending a small fortune ordering from these places, as the things I get can't be found locally. All the things in stores like GNC etc., are mostly for Vitamins and things for athletes and body builders. Great for Protein, but terrible in other categories. If you have any suggestions you could pass along, I would be grateful (so would my bank account!) Thanks, Cassie

When post surgery can you start eating lettuce? I'm thinking of butter lettuce as a bun. For tuna, or chicken. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Losing weight after WLS is a lot easier when you don’t have any off-limits foods around. Ideally, you clean your kitchen before surgery, and restock it with healthy foods to make weight loss a no-brainer. Unfortunately, we don’t all live in a healthy-food-bubble. We may have children who demand normal kid foods like mac and cheese, packaged chips and Cookies, and other high-calorie, low-nutrient fare that’s not really on your WLS diet. Or you may be in charge of cooking for family members who won’t touch the lean Proteins and plain veggies you eat. So, that means you can’t clear your kitchen of all forbidden foods, and you may even need to have close contact with thos…

Hi everyone, I'm hoping I can get some recommendations for Protein bars. I have 2 that I have consistently eaten in the year since my surgery, but they are not really what I'm looking for. I think they are too high in fat and carbs. I have read so many labels that my eyes get blurry! I have plenty of drinks where I can get my protein from, so that is not my #1 factor in the search. It's just when I want a treat, I really love my bars. If anyone has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks, Cassie

Almost everyone loves summer fruit, from nectarines, peaches, and plums to cherries, berries, and, of course, watermelon. It’s packed with Fiber, potassium, and antioxidants, but fruit is also known for being high in sugar. How do you handle summer fruit? Do you keep it to small servings? Do you make sure to always eat it with some Protein to keep your blood sugar spike to a minimum? Do you look at it as a virtuous treat compared to a sugary dessert, or as a guilty sweet pleasure? And, do you have any great bariatric friendly recipes to share to satisfy cravings for fruity Desserts such as blueberry pie and peach cobbler?

I like Peanut Butter as a snack or on my Protein brownies but it is very calories dense. I have been looking for a peanut butter powder without sugar and additives for a while but I have been unable to find one. Until yesterday! http://www.crazyrichards.com/#!product-page/gt5wt/e9a2505c-93d5-18c8-f088-a07e12a2a0c4 I picked with up at a local grocery store. It is awesome, I am eating some right now. I just added a little Water to it to make it creamy. You can add stevia drops to it to make it a little sweet or whatever your sugar substitute of choice is. It would probably be great in shakes also.

I have always had the ability to scrounge something up out of just about nothing. Tonight was no exception. I made a steak salad with a Mexican flair. I dug through the refrigerator I made up a substitute for sour cream using yogurt, adobo Chiles and God only knows what kind of salsa I found buried in the back of the fridge. It was much hotter than I intended to be but it wasn't half bad. I don't believe that this was such a good idea and apparently neither does my body based upon the horrible stench that is erupting out of my rear end on a semi-regular basis.

Based on what I have learned in this process, especially based on my surgeon's advice, I make it a practice to specifically avoid high fructose corn syrup and fake butter whenever possible. What foods do you avoid? http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/food/50-foods-you-should-never-eat

http://www.drinkprotein2o.com/protein2o-unveils-brand-revamp/ Saw these in the grocery store and picked one up. I had the tropical cocnut, tastes like Pina Colada. Good Protein to calorie ratio, and it is the consistency of Water, so it should be easy for everyone to drink. They were on sale 4 for $5 at my local grocery. They make a nice summer drink.

The beautiful thing about potlucks when you’re a WLS patient is that you get to bring the exact dish you want. You can make it healthy, high-Protein, low-calorie, and just what you want to eat to stay on your bariatric surgery diet. At the same, though, you probably want to make a dish to impress. You want everyone to love it and go back for seconds. You may love the compliments and the requests for the recipe. So how do you reconcile the two? When you go to a summer potluck, barbecue, pool party, or picnic, what do you bring that’ll keep you on track while pleasing the crowd? Do you have a great low-fat deviled egg recipe? Do you have a salad that’s always a smash hi…

I've just moved back to Canada after spending a decade state-side. This was little more than a month after FINALLY finding a brand of Protein supplement that I actually enjoyed after my tastes were all thrown off post-surgery. Naturally this brand is not available in Canada, either for purchase or shipping, so I now have to start my search all over again. I'm in southern Ontario and found a GNC at a mall where I bought a couple of tubs of Total Lean 25 (which I'd used pre-surgery) to hold me over until I can find something I like better. The carbs are too high to really be my go-to, and quite frankly they don't taste as nice as the US versions did, so I'm definitely st…

I keep seeing so many responses that just say 'ask your nutritionist'. Does that mean everyone has a nutritionist? Because I don't. I was self pay and insurance won't pay for anything related to weight loss, even nutritional counseling. I did one appointment a couple weeks before surgery to go over the basics, and I have a binder of nutritional information, but that's it. I am now finding that I have many questions, and am thinking I may just need to suck it up and pay out of pocket for at least one more appointment. So tell me, how often do you see yours? What kind of things do they help you with? Any tips on what to look for to find a good one? Sent from my iPhone…

I found these single serve pots (80g) from John West called Tuna Infusions at my local supermarket in Nairobi (Kenya, east Africa).. I had the chipotle one already not bad taste wise and the toddler liked munching off my plate as well!) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Okay, I'm more than meeting my Protein and Fluid requirements and will be starting to transition off the soft food stage. I know to avoid bread, Pasta, and other high carb foods. But, I'm curious about alternatives. What's your take on things like low carb tortillas? Is low carb pasta a thing? What's your favorite noodle alternative? And do you think it's a slippery slope, so it's just best to avoid these products? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I travel a lot for work and struggle when I'm out with exactly how big 1 ounce is etc. Does anyone have any suggestions for a nice pocket food scale I could keep in my purse? Thanks!

I've decided to update the original list/posting “List of Bariatric Nutritional Companies offering free samples!” by TapSnap. The following contains websites stating if they offer free samples. I contacted most companies via the “Contact Us” link and stated my rational for a free sample. However, some companies did offer a direct link for a form to fill out for free samples. I will say that all companies required you to input your email address, thus, some companies have daily emails with discounts and coupons. Only a small handful of companies continue to send out promotional emails after filling out the contact form. (Good thing there is always an “unsubscribe” at the b…

I amin DESPARATE NEED of a good Bariatric Nutritionist in the DFW area. I will be two years post op in October, and have been stalled out for months now. I need help badly. Does anyone in the DFW know a GREAT nutritionist I could speak with?? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated and also your experience with that person would be helpful too. I want to find the right fit, not just any fit. I have an athletic background and an exercise science background and I need someone with bariatric patient knowledge AND experience with athletes who train very hard... I had one at the Cleveland Clinic where I had my surgery but she turned out not to be too good AFTER surgery h…

So I took a trip to costco yesterday and was so happy with my finds...but I was curious what others have purchased at Costco. Produce: Strawberries Blueberries Apples Grape Tomato Mixed Bell Peppers Mini Cucumbers meats & cheese Low Fat & Low Sodium Turkey Breast lunch meat (Deitz & Watson) String Cheese Cabot Sharp Light Snack Bars - These are awesome with 6 grams of Protein and only 50 calories each chicken Sausage Frozen Shrimp Polluck Burgers (They are BOGO right now) I also got a box of Pure Protein Bars. I am VERY pre-op I'm looking to have surgery in November so I'm trying to make better choices now, since I hear that it helps A…

I love, love, love my smoker! I smoked pork butts and chicken quite a bit. At Thanksgiving I always smoke a couple of turkeys for all of the people that we have over here. All of the rubs that I use are made by me. I don't use hardly any salt and when I do it is Kosher salt. I do however sometimes use brown sugar. I am looking for appropriate alternatives for cream cheese, meat rubs and bacon wrapping. Does anybody have any thoughts? Some examples; Brisket Bacon wrapped chicken thighs with mushroom, onion, garlic and parsley stuffing. St Louis ribs Pork butt Atomic buffalo turds (jalapeño, cream cheese, shredded smoked pork and bacon.

I just made a Breakfast of weight control oatmeal. I mixed in some chocolate pudding Protein powder and PB2 to up the protein and it was pretty good. While going through my stash looking for the protein pudding, I realized that I still have a lot of protein puddings, Fruit drinks, powders, Soups, etc. What are some of your most creative uses for Protein Powder beyond smoothies?

With Father’s Day coming up next Sunday, I’ve been thinking about how we’re going to Celebrate, and wondering how all of you celebrate! I’ll probably end up with my kids and parents eating – thankfully – a healthy meal from the grill. I’m sure my dad will cook up some burgers and my mom will serve a nice spread of sides and desserts, but my parents know I’ll fend for myself when it comes to healthy eating. They won’t mind when I show up with some chicken breast or ground turkey patties and a salad, so that is what I will do. What are you planning to do for Father’s Day? How will you keep your eating clean? And, do you have any great recipes to share that everyone at the…

Does anyone have a way of cooking and easily peeling hard boiled eggs? I've watched so many different YouTube videos, and no matter what I've tried, I always have a hard time peeling the eggs. As I was struggling to peel some eggs tonight I thought....hey, my bariatric pal buds will have peeled thousands of eggs!!! What better place to get advice!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi all. I've yet to consume a protein shake and was converted from band to bypass. I know i need my protein. My surgery was 11/16. I just found something, a protein shot. So was wondering if anyone ever tried this. It's 42g of protein in a shot. It's whey protein also. Any experiences with it? Good or bad? Thanks ☺

At one month post op, I've been doing pretty well. I'm meeting my Fluid and Protein goals most days. However, today did not go so well. We drove to Denver for a short family vacation - one night in a hotel, the zoo, and the museum. To prepare for the zoo today, I brought a cooler with plenty of food and beverages to meet my specific needs: cheese, hummus, tuna salad, etc. Now I'm looking back on my day and realizing how little I've actually eaten. It was over 90 degrees and we were hot and sweating in the sun all day. I didn't want to eat anything, because I knew I would have to stop drinking for 30 minutes after. I only wanted to drink, and I wanted to take huge refreshi…

I am sitting here kind of ticked off at myself. I just finished 1/2 a Protein bar, and I realized for the calories I could have had a piece of fish with double the protein. I have a real love hate relationship with Protein Bars. They are convenient, but at the end of the day they are just a processed frankenfood. They offer me no real satisfaction beyond the immediate taste, if they taste good. They don't trigger restriction for me, so they are basically just a boring slider food. Not to mention, they are expensive compared to just having meat. I think they are great for emergencies away from home but I really have to stop eating them when I am in the house and don'…

“Fast food” doesn’t really come to mind when you think “healthy” and “weight loss,” but sometimes you just don’t have a choice. The good news is that there’s almost always something you can find that’s high Protein and low calorie. The bad news is that sometimes that’s not what you order, especially if you get flustered. It’s easy to think you’re ordering well only to realize that Caesar salad you ordered had over 1,000 calories. In general, I usually look for a side salad with some sort of light dressing, and see if there’s some way I can get grilled chicken either as part of a sandwich or on its own. Some places have fruit or carrots now, too, so I’m usually pretty co…

Hi all! I am about six weeks out from RNY surgery and doing great. My family is planning a three night tent camping trip over July 4th weekend. Anyone camp after surgery and have some food tips for me? I'm not too worried--I plan on eggs or Greek yogurt for Breakfast, and there are lots of Protein options for lunch/dinner. We always do s'mores when camping, but I think I'm just going to have to resist that. Maybe take along a piece or two of sugar free chocolate to nibble while others have s'mores. If you are a camper, do you have any tips for camping after WLS? Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App